The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-04-30
THE NEW ST. PAUL's.

The corner stone OF the new edifice for
st. Pauls church, Prairie avenue and
Thirtieth street, was laid at four o'clock
Sunday afternoon. The elements we're
rather against an outdoor service. The
wind blew cold and raw, and the sky was
decked with thick and darkening clouds.
Despite the unattractiveness of the wealth
er there was large attendance of men,
bers of ST. Paul's and the other parishes
of the city, to witness the proceedings.
Rev. John Coleman Adams, pastor of the
church, was assisted by Rev. Mr. Utter,
Rev. DR.. Ryder, and Rev. G. Foster
Barnes, of Tideoute, Pa. The services
were opened by the invocation. The
hymn, by Mrs. Fl. A. Bingham, COM
mencing, Thy temples, Lord, are earth
and sea-" was sung. Rev. MIR. Barnes
read the Scripture lesson, and then there
were responsive selections, led by Rev.
MIR. Utter. Rev. DR.. Ryder offered most
impressive, touching and heartfelt prayer,
after which the cornerstone was raised
and laid by the pastor in due form. In
the stone was deposited tin box, upon
which was a silver plate, inscribed as fol-
lows:
In the name of God, our Father; of
Jesus Christ, our Saviour, and of the Holy
Spirit, the Comforter, this corner stone of
a church to be used for the worship of
God by the First Universalist Society of
Chicago is laid on this Oath day of April,
1887, John Coleman Adams being pastor
of the church, Charles B. Sawyer, James
FL. Swan, A. A. Libby, George A. Seav-
erne, Noble B. Judah, trustees; Edison
Keith, Q. L.. Willoughby, advisory trustees;
Henry M. KinRmap, treasurer; j. e. San
ford, clerk; @. l.. Hutchinson, J. FL. SWAP,
George A. Seaverns, A. A. Libby, Edison
Keith, H. N. Higinbotham, John Dupee,
Jr., building syndicate.
Inside the box was placed a collection
of literature appertaining to the Univers-
alist church. Rev. Mr.. Adams delivered
brief address after the stone was put in
place, calling attention to the significance
of this service. The church which was to
be erected in the midst of the prosperous
homes of this most prosperous and busy
city had great significance In the
midst of busy, teeming life the temple of
stone was to be reared in the perfection
of arts of mems devising for dissemina-
ton of truth, and not for mere senti.
ment. And there was nothing more solid
than the significance of the truth to which
the church would be dedicated. 1t would
be temple reared to the service of
Almighty God, for the protection of the
home. In all this busy city there was
nothing grander nor truer than the SUBJ
stratum of religious fervor and love of
God which underlaid it. Men might
come and men might go, and the little
systems might have their day, but the
love of God still lived in the hearts of
men. This church has passed on from
one house of worship to another, but the
truth for which it stands was fresher and
stronger to-day than ever. This stone
had been laid by the church in the name
of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They
had come here to new location, but no
ism was prominent in their thought.
They stood for the truth and not alone
for the doctrine that all men would be
saved. Gods nature was that of a nat
ure of love, which Jesus Christ had given
as revelation to man. forgiveness of
sin was manifestation of the divine love
which came to a mans heart. Other
points were also touched in the brief but
every way appropriate address. Another
hymn was sung, the benediction pro-
nouneed and the services were over.
1t was very happy and impressive
service, and all present were inspired by
the new hopes and solemnities of the oc-
casion.